Foundering Arkansas State Fair gets lifeline of $911,050, earful from state lawmakers

A divided Arkansas Legislative Council authorized that nearly $1 million in state rainy-day funds be made available to the nonprofit that runs the Arkansas State Fair, but not before it got an earful from lawmakers who have taken heat from constituents.

In a split voice vote, the council heeded a subcommittee's Wednesday recommendation to sign off on Gov. Asa Hutchinson's request for up to $911,050 for the Arkansas Livestock Show Association, which had a budget shortfall resulting from this fall's rain-soaked fair.

After pausing briefly, council co-chairman Rep. Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville, ruled that the motion approving the request passed.

Before the vote, several lawmakers grilled the association's interim General Manager and President Doug White for about 20 minutes about what steps officials are taking to shore up the fair's finances.

Read more: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/dec/22/state-tosses-foundering-fair-lifeline-o-1/?news-politics